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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2018 17:12:23 GMT -5
I have had this idea of a clan trying to survive a pandemic for a while now. I’ve always been interested in infectious disease, and with the clans primitive medicine and understanding of the nature of disease, it could be very interesting.
The top one I was considering was rabies. It is a virus that affects the brain and the nervous system, and is always 100% fatal. It is spread through being scratched or bitten by an infected animal, or if infectious material (saliva, brain matter) gets inhaled or introduced into the eyes.
I was also considering the use of prions, misfolded proteins that cause neurodegenerative diseases (they’re also called spongiform, encephalopathies, as they literally make holes in the brain that look like a kitchen sponge.). This would be a bit harder to do, as they’re not easily transmitted (mostly through contaminated meat or surgical equipment) and can take many years to show symptoms. Still, it could be very interesting.
I was hoping the role play would be heavily character based, with an emphasis on worldbuilding, character development, and relationships.
I’m at a bit of a loss where to place this clan. It would have to be somewhere these diseases occur (rabies was eradicated in the UK, for examples.). I’m not too picky where it is, as I’m more focused on the plot and potential characters.
Any interest?
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Post by Sand on Sept 10, 2018 21:27:12 GMT -5
I'm very interested in this idea. I can help out, if you'd like?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2018 17:03:42 GMT -5
I'm very interested in this idea. I can help out, if you'd like? Hey there! I’d love some help; the idea of making a whole clan is quite daunting, actually. Lol. We should probably decide where to place the clan. Also, do you have any input on what sort of disease we should use?
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Post by zero on Sept 11, 2018 17:21:35 GMT -5
Hello! This is something pretty new and drastic. Do you mind if I help?
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Post by Sand on Sept 11, 2018 18:46:36 GMT -5
I'm very interested in this idea. I can help out, if you'd like? Hey there! I’d love some help; the idea of making a whole clan is quite daunting, actually. Lol. We should probably decide where to place the clan. Also, do you have any input on what sort of disease we should use? I feel you, lol. As for the disease part, I think rabies would a good option— even though it’s easier to do, it ends in fatalities which would bring the clan’s numbers down. For where the clan’s placed, did you have any ideas? I was looking at what animals carry rabies and the range is bigger than I expected. We could always do something common like a forest & whatnot. However, there’s always the option of deserts, plains & mountainous areas (Alberta, Canada is a good example).
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2018 18:25:59 GMT -5
You’re welcome to join us, Zero! Any ideas you have?
Yeah, I think rabies probably works the best, as prions are still a mystery even for humans, and it’s more... immediate, depending on how long it takes the virus to reach the brain.
I actually live in Alberta, so that could work very well! I know many areas well enough to be able to describe it decently (though explaining territory and landmarks has never been my strong suit, lol.). It is pretty diverse (Jasper and Drumheller are like two different planets lol.) and there’s a lot of nice areas.
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Post by zero on Sept 13, 2018 19:28:10 GMT -5
Rabies for the win. It's familiar to everyone so there will be less confusion and people won't have to learn something completely new.
I think a forest type of setting would be best for your goal because there are more places for the infected to hide and it's basic. People are use for forest settings and it doesn't distract from the plot. We don't have to say where exactly the setting is. Chances are, not everyone has been to the one place we decide to place the clan and will need to have the environment described anyways.
Do you want the clans to think there is a cure? Rabies can have a long incubation period, so some cats could get bitten and don't show symptoms for moons. I do think one cat should show symptoms pretty early on. Once the clan realized those bitten go mad, maybe some cats could be put in some sort of isolation with guards. Once they go mad, they will need to be killed and that could be the guard's duty. Idk I feel like we could play with the ranks. I kinda want at least one cat to sneak out one of their relatives when they are put in isolation, or hide them after they get bitten, thinking there may be a cure, and maybe they get accidentally bitten and try to keep it hidden.
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Post by Sand on Sept 13, 2018 21:17:15 GMT -5
Agreed, rabies is a good choice for this.
Ahh, Canada; I'm jealous ;(. I've never been and I'm very close to it.
I agree with Zero; focusing more on the plot is wise and keeping a basic, simply territory would give members and even the characters an advantage. They can hide when they become infected.
I like the idea of someone hiding a relative or friend from the clan that is the first to have rabies. It would be an interesting addition to the plot.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2018 22:37:56 GMT -5
That’s a really good point, Zero! I totally agree and think a forest would be our best bet so we can focus on the plot.
I also REALLY like the idea of both isolation and guards/special ranks; it’s almost a death sentence, being chosen to guard the infected since they’re at risk of contracting the disease. Could have potential for drama there. >: )
And I also really love the idea of family trying to hide their infected relatives or friends; especially a parent or someone really close. Oh man, that sounds awesome!
Hmm, as for the cure, maybe they faithfully believe there is one, either through sheer hope and panic, or because the leader/medicine cat/someone is trying to lead them to that conclusion? We know there isn’t a cure, but they don’t. It would add pressure to the medicine cats as well as give the clan a sense of hope and reason to continue on.
I’m also thinking of potential political fits that could arise from this. A corrupt warrior wanting to seize power in the aftermath of the disease, or a poor medicine cat or leader who is blamed for it in the first place. We could go anywhere with this depending on or characters.
Also, how do we want to introduce the disease? I have seen in a few fics that it’s introduced by an animal in the furious-stage. However, one of the leading vectors of rabies is bats, and their teeth are small enough as to where it’s hard to notice if you’ve been bitten (so much that if you wake up in a room with a bat that’s found it’s way in, it’s to be presumed you’ve been bitten and to get rabies treatment immediately.). Maybe a Warrior gets bitten or infected in a less obvious way, leading to hysteria when they finally go mad out of the blue? Eventually the clan finds out that biting is how it’s transmitted when other cats catch the disease, but it could be interesting to have the cat degenerate and ‘snap’ with the clan unbeknownst to the real cause.
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Post by zero on Sept 14, 2018 9:10:45 GMT -5
Defiantly want there to be a rumor of a cure. Depending on what kind of leader/medicine cat there is, they could lie and say StarClan told them there was a cure. Or we could have StarClan really lie. I checked if there was a cure for cats that humans could give, so maybe we could have some drama of cats leaving to go visit the twoleg place or something. But there isn't any.
For something political, I think someone rising to power would be pretty fun. There could be an outsider who claims to know of a cure and can't contract the disease, aka the new sol. A kittypet would have natural immunity from rabies because they should be vaccinated. But the warrior idea sounds good/easier to work with. We could twist the usually corrupt, power-hungry cat to the cat who believes they are really doing a better job and will protect the clan in more drastic ways. Like he wasn't vying for power before the disease, but gets sick of the clan dying and starts to take over.
The bat idea is really good and interesting.
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Post by Sand on Sept 15, 2018 19:13:48 GMT -5
I think by introducing the disease through a bat is great; it's discreet and the clan (most likely) won't notice it until one of their clanmates begins to go mad but leaves enough suspicion for them to question it.
I agree with Zero on the cure part-- I think it'll have to depend on the characters that are leader or medicine cat. Based on their characteristics and morals, it's really up to them if they want to give the Clan a sheer of hope or not.
I love political plots, to be honest. If the leader is the more hopeful one in the rabies plot, it could give another character a chance to point out that their hope is far fetched and flawed.
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Post by zero on Sept 16, 2018 11:52:36 GMT -5
Just an idea, but do we want to make the characters and then make plots around them? Let their basic personalities and familiar links help us to make plots.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2018 22:39:53 GMT -5
Making our characters to some degree would probably be best so we can plan out some plot points and get a feel for how the clan will run! We have a few important positions we should decide on, like the leader/medicine cat/deputy, as well as the first cat to be infected. I aim for all role players and characters to be important, but those four should probably be decided first as they’ll start the plot. I’m cool with playing either of those positions so I’ll let y’all decide what ones you’re interested in first! We could also pick the deputy in roleplay, if desired! Also, I’m going to type up some information on the territory and clan, keeping it simple, of course. What should we name our clan? I’m using these dark forest images as inspiration (they’re paintings, and kind of creepy, so just make note of that before you click! ) hyenagrind.tumblr.com/post/177851207054/ex0skeletal-works-by-yuri-hill I’m just imagining a really dark forest with a thick canopy and maybe a bog or river? And also, what should be call the disease when they come up with a name for it?
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Post by Sand on Sept 18, 2018 0:47:35 GMT -5
Good idea o:
I'm fine with any positions as well, so feel free to pick way before me because I'm super indecisive.
I really like those images! The like the dark vibe they give off. Hmm, let's see.
clan name options; DimClan ShadeClan HazeClan FogClan BogClan FenClan MorassClan MireClan ThicketClan GroveClan
my suggestions for almost 12am at night are not the best, oups.
The disease could be named after the cat that contracts it, maybe? Or something that the clan the disease is somehow symbolized through?
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Post by zero on Sept 18, 2018 8:11:27 GMT -5
Maybe the deputy or leader could the best first one effected? The deputy dying would make the clan somewhat unstable, especially is the late deputy was loved and the cats aren't too sure about the new choice or the new choice is chosen later and they are suppose to. The leader would die and come back, but I feel like some cats would be unsure as to if the leader was really 'safe' and the leader would have to carry the memory/guilt of going mad. We could have the leader/deputy get bitten later though, maybe from the first cat as they should probably be the first one jumping to protect their clanmates.
I would like to claim either the med cat or the apprentice med cat. I'm just not sure which character I want to go through this.
I was never good with names DimClan sounds good BogClan adds a bit of creepiness MireClan is new and rolls off the tongue better. This might be the best choice.
I dunno how they are going to name the disease. I think it would make sense for all the cat's to call it different names with some refusing to even naming it. A symbolizing would be neat, but I dunno what. Mad cat disease/sickness comes to mind.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2018 17:02:01 GMT -5
Oh, I like the deputy being the first one to catch it. That would give us a reason to pick one in roleplay as well, because the current one went mad, lol. That would just leave the leader and deputy (who will die), so Sand, whichever you prefer (or neither! Up to you! ) Sand, those are all great suggestions for clan names! I really like MireClan as well! I haven’t seen that used before We could maybe name the disease after a symptom or something. In some places (and Old Yeller lol), it’s called hydrophobia because they avoid water and drinking. In 28 Weeks Later the rabies/zombie disease is simply called ‘rage’ because of what it does to people. I’m not too picky with what we call it in the clan description/territory I’ll simply call it rabies as not to confuse people. I’m starting to work on a couple of characters; I have one that’s a bit of a superstitious fanatic and will believe the disease to come from the bog (inspired by the ‘Well Man’ in Danish folklore, who is believed to responsible for poisoned/diseased drinking water by dragging people into the wells.) And maybe another who has a soon-to-be-fatal stomach tumour, but still refuses to get close to the disease for selfish reasons, despite their impending death anyway.
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Post by Sand on Sept 20, 2018 17:08:55 GMT -5
I like the idea of the deputy getting it first too! Hmm, okay o: I’ll take the leader if that’s okay?
MireClan’s my favorite as well— seems like we’ve picked out a name for the clan!
Sounds good to me, what symptom could we name it after? Maybe the first sign the deputy shows?
Damn, I really like your character ideas, especially the one who will have the fatal tumor. o: I’m probably going to start on mine soon.
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Post by zero on Sept 21, 2018 17:34:47 GMT -5
Rage might be good. It could be the first symptom the deputy shows. The deputy could get snappy at cats for little things and then really try to bite someone's head off.
Those are good characters. I need to come up with some good ideas.
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